Okay, so I've been getting a lot of emails about As I Wake, so let me answer the most common questions:
1. What is As I Wake about?
This is the publisher summary, which I adore:
Ava is welcomed home from the hospital by a doting mother, lively friends, and a crush finally beginning to show interest. There's only one problem: Ava can't remember any of them - and can't shake the eerie feeling that she's not who they say she is.
Ava struggles to break through her amnesiac haze as she goes through the motions of high-school life, but the memories that surface take place in a very different world, where Ava and familiar-faced friends are under constant scrutiny and no one can be trusted. Ava doesn't know what to make of these visions, or of the boy who is at the center of them all, until he reappears in her life and offers answers . . . but only in exchange for her trust.
2. But what is it REALLY about? Why did you write it?
Okay. I wrote As I Wake because of my obsession with the idea that there is not just one world/reality but many (as suggested by modal realism), as well as life in 1980s East Germany (yes, there once was an East Germany!), especially the role played by the Stasi. I also wrote it because I'm also a sucker for true love.
3. What the heck is modal realism? What's this Stasi thing?
There's a great introduction to modal realism here and you can read more about the Stasi here and here. As for life in East Germany during the 1980s, I highly suggest Anna Funder's Stasiland, which I found fascinating. (I should note that it's out of print, and I barely managed to snag a copy in early 2008)*
4. Is everything in the book factual?
Nope. Modal realism is just a theory, and I played with it. I also did not strictly adhere to what life in 1980s East Germany was like, although I tried to stay as true as I could to what I'd read about the role of the Stasi, simply because their presence in everyday life was really amazingly in-depth. (At one point, it's estimated that one out of every seven East Germans was somehow involved with the Stasi!)
5. And finally, the question I'm actually asked second most often: Can I get an ARC?
I don't know. I didn't actually know I had a publicist for As I Wake until the Publishers Weekly review came out, and just wrote to her about the book for the first time yesterday. (And if she happens to reads this, thank you again for sending an ARC to PW!)
--
So that's the deal with As I Wake.
I'll let you know more as I learn more about question 5, and in the meantime, if you have a US mailing addy, leave a comment (and a way to contact you!) by midnight EST tomorrow, July 8th, and you could win one of the following:
--a copy of Clarity by Kim Harrington
--a copy of Exposed by Kimberly Marcus
--a copy of Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors
* BUT! I just checked Amazon and it's being re-released
Today, I'm doing a Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit interview with Suzanne Young about her new book, A Need So Beautiful
Me: Tell us about your book in ten words or less!
Suzanne: A story about love, sacrifice, and the importance of memories.
Me: What do you wish you'd known about being published/publishing before your first book came out?
Suzanne: That sometimes your self-esteem can take a hit, whether from bad reviews or cancelled contracts. There are so many emotional highs and lows that I never could have imagined. (Me: SO true!)
Me: What's the last book you read that you loved so much you had to tell everyone about it?
Suzanne: It’s an adult novel, but I loved Bitten by Kelley Armstrong and forced my friends to read it too.
Me: Well, you know..
Suzanne: The ranch pesto they serve at the Spaghetti Factory! (Me: very specific, love it!)
I've finished my latest round of revisions and to celebrate, I'm going to sit down and finally watch the 16 episodes of Modern Family I missed this season.
I'm also going to celebrate by giving away sixteen copies of Between Here and Forever. For your chance to get one, all you have to do is leave a comment and a way for me to contact you (and okay, if you wanna rec a summer TV show to me, I'm not going to say no) by midnight EST on Monday, July 4th and then sixteen people will get a copy of Between Here and Forever.
And yes, this giveaway is open internationally too :-)
I'm up to my neck in revisions at the moment, so I don't have time for a proper blog entry.
However, I don't want to neglect you, lovely readers, so I offer the following
--an ARC of Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray
--an ARC of Shelter by Harlan Coben
--a copy of Stay by Deb Caletti
For your chance to win one of these three books, all you have to do is leave a comment telling me your fave way to de-stress (and a way to contact you!) by midnight EST this Friday, July 1st.
And yep, this contest is open to everyone :-)
Today, I'm doing a Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit interview with Elana Johnson about her new book, Possession
Me: Tell us about your book in ten words or less!
Elana: Posession = brainwashing transmissions + angsty teenage girl + cute boys x chaos
Me: What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?
Elana: Keep writing. I believe there’s no such thing as a failed novel. It’s a practice novel, and everyone needs to practice to get good at something.
Me: What do you wish you'd known about being published/publishing before your book came out?
Elana: I wish someone had told me how emotionally exhausting this is. I may not have gotten involved!
Me: What's the last book you read that you loved so much you had to tell everyone about it?
Elana: One of my favorite books of 2011 is Clairty by Kim Harrington. Everyone should read it!
Me: Oh, you know what I'm going to ask now...
Elana: Ranch. Oh my gravy, I could drink it from a tall glass. No vegetables needed. (Me: LOL!)
Thanks for stopping by, Elana, and I have to send a quick shout-out to the 45 amazing girls I'm going to be meeting this weekend (they're all part of a book club, and they've all read Between Here and Forever--how cool is that?)
For those of you heading to RWA, which is in NYC this year, or if you're going to be in NYC and find yourself in the Times Square area, Smart Bitches, Trashy Books put together a nice restaurant guide with links to even more guides!
This isn't exactly breaking news, but looks like Greg Mortenson could be in even more trouble, by which I mean, more lawsuits
And speaking of non-fiction that turns out to be less non- that it should be, the Intern has some thoughts --and there's some lively responses in the comments
The Intern also has a great post up about how sometimes things can be so bleak that you have to wait and find your way back to being able to see beauty/find joy again-- "At first, it feels like it isn’t working. You’re just as wound up and single-minded as you were a few days ago. If you’re going to be like this, you might as well just work. But when you try to work, you just get frustrated...You’re still too much of a machine to appreciate anything...But slowly, imperceptibly, beauty starts to push its head out of the ground like a tomato seedling. Your heart still feels like packed clay, but there it is—something living."
Agent Rachelle Gardner on insecurity -- something I think most writers (or at least this one) have in abundance
Writer Unboxed on Seven Deadly Sins For Published Writers -- this one is a must read for anyone who is published or about to be published, IMO
From YA Outside the Lines, How Do You Know Which Story To Work On?
Stacked is advocating for contemporary YA -- I fully admit to being biased on this, but I *adored* this blog post (plus there are loads of links!)
One of the links mentioned in the above piece is one I feel deserves a shout-out because it's so utterly raw in its honesty about what it's like to be a contemporary mid-list author these days. Kudos to Kristen Hubbard for being brave enough to talk about how hard it can be to be not just a debut author, but a debut author writing contemporary YA. -- "It's a numbers game, and miles outside my limited reach, in that faraway place where the power lies, it was decided my beloved book would not be given much of a push, and would not be stocked at Barnes & Noble bookstores. Among other things.
I never posted it. I was too afraid.
And to be honest, I still don't feel brave enough to rehash all the details. It's been a three-month battle, deciding whether to be open about all this in internet-land, or whether to put on a brave face and pretend everything's peachy."
Two posts on publishing time--and yes, it is different from just about anything else (except for working-for-a-university-time, which is, I think, one of the reasons I was okay with waiting four (yep, four!) years for the second novel I sold to come out.
One day I'll have to post a list of my published books vs. the order in wh
Today, I'm doing a Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit interview with Amanda Ashby about her new book, Fairy Bad Day
Me: Tell us about your book in ten words or less!
Amanda: Cute, funny and filled with Skittles and swords!
Me: What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?
Amanda: It wasn’t really advice but when I was living in England and trying to sell a book, I was lucky enough to meet Penny Jordan who is like the Madonna of Harlequin Mills and Boon. She has literally sold millions and millions of books and is successful in a way that most of us can’t even dream of. Yet she is so down to earth and humble and often talks about taking a writing course so she can learn how to write properly! Anyway, that’s when I realized that if she doesn’t know it all, then I most certainly never well. I guess for me it’s just a reminder that we’re always learning!
Me: What do you wish you'd known about being published/publishing before your book/first book came out?
Amanda: This is going to sound ridiculous but I was so focused on selling a book and getting published that I really hadn’t given much thought to the idea that people might actually read it! So when my first book came out I kept wanting to explain what it was about and why I had written certain scenes etc! It still actually seems surreal that people would give up their time to read something that I’ve written, though I’ve totally managed to suppress the urge to explain my reasoning. Especially for what happens on page 89!!
Me: What's the last book you read that you loved so much you had to tell everyone about it?
Amanda: Eon by Alison Goodman and Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Those are two very special books about kick ass heroines!
Me: What blogs do you *have* to read?
Amanda: pinkisthenewblog.com. I absolutely have to read Trent’s blog everyday and I’ve done so for years. In fact I even gave it a shout out in Fairy Bad Day because I love it so much. (Me: I've never heard of this before, but it's got gossip, and I'm SO there!!)
Me: Okay, I'm not even calling this the whole random thing anymore. Instead, it's shout-out to your fave salad dressing!
Amanda: Heinz Salad Cream (Me: had to look that one up! It's a UK thing, as it turns out :-) )
Me: I heard you have a copy of Fairy Bad Day to give away...
Amanda: I do--and I'm opening up the give away to anyone, so if you don't live in the US, you can enter too!
Wow! Thanks for stopping by Amanda--and for your generosity! For your chance to win a copy of Fairy Bad Day, just leave a comment (if you know about Heinz Salad Cream, feel free to let us know what it tastes like and/or is it just for salads? Because the page for it had recipes!!) AND a way to contact you by midnight EST this Friday, June 17th, and then one lucky person will get a copy of Fairy Bad Day!
By now, everyone knows about the whole WSJ YA thing, but if you get a chance, please read Sherman Alexie's eloquent blog post about why some YA readers need dark books
Agent Jennifer Laughran on how she deals with incoming queries and on main characters who are bored
A great piece by Salon's Laura Miller on when bad people write great books
Pimp My Novel has a interesting post on what's hot in books right now
From the Dystel & Goderich blog, a post on the importance of diving in
From YA Outside The Lines, a fab post on the importance--and joy--of connecting with readers and a very open post about trying to bring focus and balance to your writing life
Agent Kristin Nelson on what editors are looking for now
Author Jay Lake knows a thing or two about persevering, and writes about it here--"This practice of constantly writing and sending has a happy side effect of inuring oneself to the impact of rejection. The more rejections you receive, the less each individual one can sting. Our one-story-a-year writer will invest an enormous amount of time and effort in each send out, and feel the impact of the response acutely. Our fifty-story-a-year writer collects rejection after rejection, reducing the sting and increasing the opportunity for those rejections to transition into acceptances."
Finally, the yummy:
Gluten Free Homemade Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies
As a vanilla fan, you know I loved the Very Vanilla Bundt Cake
But then, there was also the Sugar Cookie Cake AND the Dulche de Leche Banana Cake
Or I could also go for the Marshmallow Snappers or Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies
But, then, there are last week's recipe link winners--a classic take on one of the best Southern dishes of all time, Pimento Cheese, and a Peanut Butter Pound Cake S'mores Panini (yes, seriously!)
Hmm, I wonder why I feel hungry now...
I think by now just about everyone has heard of the Wall Street Journal that blasted today's YA as being too dark and violent
You can find tons of heart-felt response to this on Twitter by searching for #YAsaves and there's a wonderful Salon piece in response
And two more bloggers weighed in with interesting posts: The Intern and Allison Brennan at Murderati
On finding validation as an author -- "So when do authors feel like they've made it? I guess, like most things in life, it's different for everyone. I guess I haven't figured it out for me yet. But I think I'm getting closer."
Agent Rachelle Gardner on writing the Break In novel
How can you not love a blog post that's called Warning Signs of an Idiot Plot
While I don't have any recipe links to share today, I do have two ARCs to give away: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce and Spoiled by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
For your chance to win, share your fave recipe link with me (also, you need to have a US addy and leave a way for me to contact you if you win, PLEASE!!)
I'll take your fave recipe links to this Friday, June 10th at midnight and then I'll pick the two links I like best and the people who shared them will each get an ARC.
Today, I'm doing a Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit interview with Jessica Brody about her new book, My Life Undecided
Me: Tell us about your book in ten words or less!
Jessica: Decisionally-challenged teen seeks wise blog readers to run her life. (Haha! That sounds like a classified posting!) (Me: it totally does!!)
Me: What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?
Jessica: “You can’t fix a blank page.” It’s a quote from Nora Roberts that I have hanging on my wall above my computer so I can always see it. It’s absolutely the best writing advice ever! Sometimes you’ll get stuck, sometimes you’ll write crap, but no matter what, you just have to keep going. Keep writing. Even if you end up throwing it all away at the end. Because more often than not, you have to write through the bad stuff to get to the good stuff. And you can always go back and revise later. But you can’t revise something that’s not there!
Me: What do you wish you'd known about being published/publishing before your book/first book came out?
Jessica: I was really surprised to learn how long it takes a book to get to the shelf. I wish someone had warned me! I sold THE KARMA CLUB (my first young adult release) to my publisher TWO years before it was released in stores. The publishing industry can be very slow and that’s taken some getting used to. I’m usually about two books ahead of whatever book is in the stores. For example, MY LIFE UNDECIDED, is out on June 7th and I’ve already written the book that will come out after that and am 1/4 through the one that will come out after that! (Me: I can so relate to that! My first book took two years, but my second took three and my third? Four years!!)
Me: What's the last book you read that you loved so much you had to tell everyone about it?
Jessica: I just recently read Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier which just released. It’s the first in a series and I’m now TOTALLY hooked. I’m dying for the second one. The series was originally published in Germany and I’m about this close to buying the German edition and running it through Google Translate, just so I can find out what happens! Too bad I studied French!
Me: I hear you're giving away a copy of My Life Undecided...
Jessica: I am! (Me: YAY!!) To win a copy all you have to do is leave a comment, and a way for Jessica to get in touch with you by this Friday, June 10th at midnight EST and then one person will get a copy of My Life Undecided. (Me: YAY!! again!)
Me: So, what blogs do you *have* to read?
Jessica: I’m kind of obsessed with ClevverTV. They’re a great blog and internet TV show that focuses on entertainment and celebrity gossip. It’s a really fun show.
Me: Okay, here's my SO not a random bonus question anymore: What's your favorite salad dressing?
Jessica: Blue cheese all the way!
Thanks, Jessica, for a great interview, and be sure to check out the trailer for My Life Undecided here AND leave your comment (and a way to contact you) for your chance to win a copy of My Life Undecided!
This is a good intro to Bookscan (although I believe that they don't track library sales either)
Dear Author has, as always, lots of interesting links here and here
From YA Outside The Lines, a look at balancing writing and the rest of your life and a cute post about travel
Saundra Mitchell has a fantastic marketing timeline AND on why "free" books aren't actually free--I know some people feel that there's nothing wrong with downloading books, but for mid-list authors like me, believe me, it is so not helpful in terms of me being able to write more books--if I don't sell books, then the publisher doesn't make any money, and then--well, then I'm out of a job because, at the end of the day, publishing is a business. And if your school/local library doesn't have a copy of whatever book of mine you want to read, let me know. Seriously. I want you to be able to read my books! (And I also would like to keep my job)
From Writer Unboxed: the power of shared experience when reading
The always fascinating Tess Gerritsen on I Have No Idea How I Do It
Interesting piece on writing about writing
Agent Jennifer Laughran on twitter, and social media in general, IMO
I own a dog, so how could I not love Why Every Writer Needs A Dog
How about some Browned Butter Brown Sugar Cookies with Lemon Buttercream?
And I SO know I'll be making this chocolate cream pie for my husband
BEA week is always so much fun, and I am so glad that I got to meet so many of YOU while I was in NYC.
So in celebration of BEA, and of your general awesomeness I am giving away the following:
A signed copy of Lauren Kate's Passion
A copy of Sarah Dessen's What Happened to Goodbye
A copy of Veronica Roth's Divergent
For a chance to win one of these three books, all you have to do is have a US mailing addy and leave a comment telling me what dream book you got during BEA---or what book you wished you could have gotten if you'd gone.
I'll take comments until midnight EST this Friday, June 3rd, and then I'll pick three winners and each of them will get one of the three books.
And that's it!
Today is the official release date for Between Here and Forever, and although it's been in stores for a while, I just had to say how thrilled I am to be sharing Abby's story with you, and that if you read the book I hope you enjoy it!
Also, the book is still only $9.99 (basically pb price!!) at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble
To celebrate the release of Between Here and Forever, I'll be at BEA today, surrounded by books and those who love them--what could be better than that?
And don't forget that if you are in NYC, I'll be doing the following events:
May 25th (tomorrow!)--I'll be signing at BEA in Booth 3774 starting at 10:30 AM--supplies are going to be quite limited, so be sure to get there early!
May 27th--I'm going to be on a Speed Dating panel at the Book Blogger Convention! I'll be on starting at 1 PM in Javits on the first floor of Hall E in room 1E15
Wonderful mailing list members, you should find a message from me in your inbox later this afternoon (and although I'm now using a mailing list service, if it's not your inbox, check you spam folder to see if it's there)
Now, on to New York City! I'm going to be doing a bunch of things in the next week, and if you live in the area, I hope to see you at least once!
May 22st--Teen Author Panel at Books of Wonder starting at 1 PM--and yes, you will be able to purchase Between Here and Forever then!
May 23rd-Teen Author Carnival with loads of awesome YA authors at the Mulberry Branch of the NYPL starting at 4 PM--seriously, take a look at the line-up! Plus there will be candy and books as well!
May 25th--I'll be signing at BEA in Booth 3774 starting at 10:30 AM--supplies are going to be quite limited, so be sure to get there early!
May 27th--I'm going to be on a Speed Dating panel at the Book Blogger Convention! I'll be on starting at 1 PM in Javits on the first floor of Hall E in room 1E15 and I hope to meet loads of you!
Also, although Between Here and Forever isn't officially "out" until Tuesday, I've seen it in my local bookstore AND Amazon and Barnes and Noble are still selling it for only $9.99! To buy it from Amazon, click here, and for Barnes and Noble, click here.
And, of course, I have links to share:
I thought this was pretty cute: The Kindle Killer
Agent Rachelle Gardner with more on difficult conversations, this time on a more personal level
Thanks to Dear Author, I got this great link to someone showing how they'd visually explain what a Kindle is to Charles Dickens
Agent Jennifer Laughran on why agents don't take on books that are similar to ones they are already representing--"Think complementary, not competing!"
Interesting post from The Intern on "Universals"
A blog post on Amazon and Bookscan's author partnership--although Bookscan is crazily inaccurate in many cases, it's the standard for the publishing industry so as an author, you have to be prepared to deal with it (and hope your publisher gives you more accurate information!)
Tips for how to deal with those times when you're having trouble starting writing
How about kicking back and relaxing with Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting? Or perhaps a nice batch of Streusel Oreo Muffins?
First, the Rochester TBF? AMAZING. Seriously. It's like the rock star of teen book festivals. I took some video of the opening session, which was an all-author Q&A session but just realized I shot it UPSIDE DOWN. Typical.
After that, I got to do panels with THE Melissa de la Cruz (pic of me trying not to be too fangirl here) and, of course, the best part of all, talking to so many of YOU!
Also, Simon Pulse was awesome enough to let TBF sell copies of Between Here and Forever and it was so cool to see it--and even better still, to see people with it and excited to read it!
For those of you who weren't at Rochester, both Amazon and Barnes and Noble are still selling Between Here and Forever for 9.99! It's crazy cheap, and I LOVE it! (And I hope you all pre-order copies, but then, I expect you're not surprised by that :-)
Finally, before I get to the links--mailing list members, expect a message on Thursday with a special contest just for you!
Now, it's link time:
Agent Jennifer Laughran on word counts -- A nice breakdown of what's standard for everything from picture books to YA
Agent Rachelle Gardner on having difficult conversations with clients: part one and part two
The Intern on How to Revise (When You'd Rather Just Drink)
I'm super excited because this Saturday, I'm going to be in Rochester, New York at the 6th Annual Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival--there are so many amazing authors that are going to be there--and!--I'm going to be on a panel with Melissa de la Cruz who you all know I adore. I'm going to try really hard not to fangirl too much :-)
I'll do my best to tweet about the event (I'm on twitter as escottwrites) and hopefully I'll be able to have photos too!
Okay, I know what you're waiting for so I'm bringing the links!
OH!!!
Before we get to them, I have to tell you this: Between Here and Forever is now available at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble for 9.99--pretty much paperback price! I don't know how long it'll stay this way, so if you want a copy for cheap, I'd go for it now! *
Now it's link time:
The Intern on revising and The 14 Stages of Critique Acceptance
Agent Rachelle Gardner on multi-book contracts
Author Tiffany Trent has a slam-bang of a post about writing, agents, e-books, and the realities of being published--if you read only one link out of all of these, make it this one
Pimp My Novel isn't surprised that adult mass market paperback sales are dropping
Nice piece about writers and dreaming (I think most of you know my stance on it!)
From the Washington Post, a very balanced article about the e-book boom
This is an older link, but as it looks like Apple is going to go forward with this, you might want to check out this article about using third part applications on Apple devices--like, say Kindle for your iPad
Things most definitely aren't going well for Borders -- I don't want them to disappear!!
Over at Genreality, a wonderful post about the roller coaster ride that is publishing
What can stop a story's flow?
*for feeds that strip out links the 9.99 (!) copies of Between Here and Forever at Amazon: http://amzn.to/lhna4J and at Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/jBxpEa
This blog post is going up a bit late but it's because I just had a fabulous Skype school visit/chat!
OH! And I got news that Between Here and Forever made Amazon's YA Summer Reading List! (And is now available for less than $10!!)*
Now, the links:
Writer Unboxed on why writers need to have (very) thick skins and symbolism (with a shout-out to the wedding that yes, I got up at 5 AM and watched live and no, I'm not sorry I did. I watch Charles and Diana get married live too and it was just-the first one looked like a fairytale and this one looked like two people who knew each other's souls)
Anyway, back to Writer Unboxed and the flip side of self-promotion--be sure to check this one out, as I think it's spot on.
Dear Author has a great post about the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Also from Dear Author--looks like there will be new Kindles and Nooks soon...
From the Dystel & Goderich blog: How do writers stay strong?--be sure to check the comments.
Also check out this great post on ten things to avoid--or do--in your query letter
Agent Rachelle Gardener wonders if authors need Skype (I am not great as using it, but I do love it!) and the importance of reading *and* reading in the genre you write in
Agent Kristin Nelson on the importance of checking royalty statements
One last part to Getting Published Is Not Enough from How Publishing Really Works
The Intern on plots and plotting
From Genreality, the importance of passion in your writing
Over at YA Outside the Lines, Holly Schindler blogs about her writing system--I don't know how she does it! If I even tried it, I'd probably end up in the hospital!
Also check out April Henry's advice for authors--Fake It Until You Make It
Fascinating story of a first book sale
Looks like it is truly the end of Borders, as a partial or total sale of the chain seems to be coming
Okay, after that Borders news, how about some chocolate chip cookie bark? Or perhaps you'd rather have triple chocolate cookies and cream peppermint bark?
Crossing my fingers for Borders...
While you're entering the Beauty Queens ARC contest, check out the list of the following events I'll be at in NY and NYC through May--hope to see you at at least one of them!
May 14th--Rochester, NY at the Teen Book Festival with a ton of amazing author like Ellen Hopkins, Ally Carter, AND Melissa de la Cruz, who I'm doing a panel with. Melissa is SO much fun, so I know we're going to have a great time, and I hope to see you there!
May 22st--Teen Author Panel at Books of Wonder, NYC starting at 1 PM--and yes, you will be able to purchase Between Here and Forever then!
May 23rd-Teen Author Carnival with loads of awesome YA authors at the Mulberry Branch of the NYPL starting at 4 PM--seriously, take a look at the line-up! I want to be there too! Plus there will be candy and (fingers crossed!) books as well!
May 25th--I'll be signing at BEA in Booth 3774 starting at 10:30 AM--supplies are going to be quite limited, so be sure to get there early!*
May 27th--I'm going to be on a Speed Dating panel at the Book Blogger Convention! I'll be on starting at 1 PM (location TBA, although it'll be in Javits) and I hope to meet ALL of you!
I'm hoping that some more chances for me to meet YOU will pop up, so I'll be sure to keep you posted!
(As for ARCs of As I Wake, I'm sorry to report there will not be any at BEA. There may be some at ALA but those of you who want ARCs, I'd contact your Dutton/Penguin contact and see if you can get one...)
Great post over at Writer Unboxed about the hardest part of being a writer -- "The hardest part of being a writer (IMHO) is not coming up with ideas, or hitting your word count, or breathing life into your characters. It’s trusting yourself. Believing in yourself. Being yourself, and being okay with that."
Agent Rachelle Gardner on Writing vs. Publishing, Having to Give Bad News, and Will Your First Novel Be Published?
The rest of that fab series from How Publishing Really Works: Getting Published Is Not Enough, part two and part three--both those who want to be published and those who are published should really take a look at these excellent posts.
Salon's Laura Miller interviews famed editor Robert Gottlieb--"Your job...is to be in sympathy with what the writer is doing and to try to help her or him make it better of what it is, not to make it into something else. Because that way there will be tears."
Agent Jennifer Laughran on swearing in young adult novels -- all I have to say about this one is YES!!
Revisit Wrier Unboxed for a story of writing what you are terrified to write
From Dear Author, a really fascinating look at how one author gets her ideas and her publishing journey -- I have a hard time writing about how I write, but I love reading about how other people do it!
So, you have this story. You've been plugging away at it, but it's just--well, it's just not working. Never fear, The Intern is here with a handy guide to breaking up with your story
The Intern also has ten reasons why you should rewrite that scene
From Story Tellers Unplugged, a post about the importance of holding on to your words--I admit I don't keep copies of my books (but my parents do)--but I do keep copies of every single draft I've done for every book I've written. And I keep not one, not two, but three backups. Trust me, once you lose one file, you become paranoid. (Although perhaps not as much as me :-)
Over at Genreality, What Are Your Reading Boundaries?
A post that had me nodding vigorously in agreement: A Different Take On Following The Writing Dream
So, it turns out that form rejections can be your friend
The always awesome Tess Gerritsen on the latest non-fiction writer (Greg Mortenson) who turned out to be a liar and on why this seems to be happening so often in Writers Who Lie--"And every time the truth is finally revealed, readers are outraged, publishers du
Oh, you are all too good to me, and your comments on my last post--seriously, how did I get to be so lucky? You are all so awesome I feel totally unworthy, but a HUGE XOXO to all you for your kindness.
And for those of you who haven't dropped a hint as to what you want to see on my blog--and win an ARC of Meg Cabot's latest novel, Abandon, go over here and do so! (This contest is also open internationally, so overseas readers, I'm waiting to hear from YOU!!)*
Now, let's hit those links:
Worried about what the publication process is like? Don't worry, you aren't alone
Two great posts about agency agreements: here and here
Before you submit your manuscript to agents, you really, really should finish it! See agent Jennifer Laughran's great post about it
How Publishing Really Works on Getting Published Is Not Enough -- This is a really great post that all aspiring (and frankly, published) writers should read, and I look forward to the rest of the series.
Advice for writers of speculative fiction
Oh, Betsy Lerner, I do adore you! Who else would write a post about finally reading all the books she's lied about reading?
From Dystel & Goderich Literary Management: a list of what to do to keep one agent interested in a manuscript, the importance of *not* having too much background in your story, and yet another reminder that when it comes to the Internet, the best thing to do when someone makes you mad is...nothing. Or at least take a day to cool off before you respond!
Over at Writer Unboxed: Yes, you can write if you have children and what makes a story unputdownable?
At Genreality, a fab post about how you must go for broke
Pimp My Novel on book readings and a handy guide to the biggest industry conference of them all, BEA
So, what's the deal when an agent asks for an exclusive?
Dear Author, as always, has a world of great links worth checking out (and I'm so glad that Apple is finally going to stop tracking everything I do/everywhere I go on iPhone!)
Has all this reading worked up an appetite? Then how about some Cinnamon Toast Ice Cream?
Or, perhaps, with a certain wedding coming up (tomorrow! And please tell me I won't be the only one getting up IN THE DARK to watch!) there's the American Pie Council’s Crisco National Pie C
I can't believe how time flies! It seems like just yesterday I was in Texas (amazing! and a huge XOXO to everyone in Houston, Dallas, and Austin for making me feel so welcome--I want to be adopted by Texas!) but of course, I wasn't and Between Here and Forever comes out in less than a month!!
First, a few quick updates:
--Coolest thing EVER: The Secret Life of an Avid Reader is having an Elizabeth Scott Week! A week! For me! It starts on May 18th and runs through the release date of Between Here and Forever on May 24th. There's a bunch of blogs participating, and if you want to be part of it, please sign up--I've already promised a complete set of my books (including the ones coming out this year) and if another ten blogs sign up, I'll knock it up to THREE sets!
--Rumor has it that the first 100 pages of Between Here and Forever are going to be available for public viewing--I know!!--and as soon as I have a link, I'll share it!
--It's also true that I came home from Texas, went to the doctor the morning after I came back to have a mole removed--and then spend three hours sitting in the office because I had a reaction to the shot they gave me to numb the area where they cut the mole out (Yes, I know--only me!! I'm starting to think I need to wear a sign when I go into a doctor's office: "Yes, you will probably not know what's wrong with me and take eight million things of blood to figure out what I have. Also, I am allergic to everything, including probably the paper gown you are going to ask me to wear.") (Knock on wood for that one-so far, no reaction to paper gowns...yet :-)
--For all of you doing reports on me, yes, I was born in 1972. (And yes, I AM that old! :-)
--Finally, I will be trying to update more regularly because I miss sharing links with you, and of course, giving away books!*
--LOL commenters, be sure to check your email (including your spam folder, sigh) for a message, and fb people who commented, DM your info
*To kick things off, how about an ARC of Meg Cabot's Abandon? I've got two to give away and for your chance to win, just leave a comment telling me what sort of links you'd like to me share (more about writing? more about publishing? more about food?) by this Friday, April 29th at midnight EST--and I'll pick the two comments I like best and each of those people will get an ARC of Abandon! (And yes, this contest IS open to everyone--so international readers, chime in!)
**And one last thing--the people at the lovely A Real Bookstore have some signed copies of The Unwritten Rule--and if you want your copy before the cover changes (more on that soon!) you'll want to head here asap: http://arealbookstore.com/elizabethscott
Sorry I've haven't blogged in a while--I got sick with a lung infection that, on top of everything else, knocked me out of commission.
But! My lungs are better AND my doctor thinks she knows what's wrong with me and I've been taking meds for that and feeling...sort of okay. It's quite nice to not have a fever ALL the time! And to not have to sleep for 13 hours a day!
However, I totally missed the boat on the LOL contest entries and so I declare EVERYONE who entered a winner, and I will be contacting all of you when I get back AND each of you will get not one, but TWO free YA novels as a thank you for your patience and understanding. And, of course, for making me LOL!!
Now, on to the super exciting part--I'm going to Texas!!
I'll be at the Houston Teen Book Convention this Saturday, April 9th, along with tons of other cool authors. It's totally free, and I'm going to be on a panel with Ellen Hopkins, Lauren Myacle, and Gail Giles!! How awesome is that??
And then, the next day, on Sunday the 10th, I'll be in Dallas, signing books at 2 PM at A Real Bookstore -- and not only will I be spilling secrets about my new book, Between Here and Forever, I'll buy $50 worth of young adult novels (your choice!) for the person who travels the farthest to come see me!
I'll also be at the Texas Library Association's annual conference on the 13th and 14th, so all you Texas Librarians, come by Author Aisle #9 on Wednesday, the 13th at 2 PM for free ARCs of Between Here and Forever. I'll also be around all day on the 14th--hurray! I look forward to meeting tons of Texas librarians and--I hope to see everyone else in Houston or Dallas (and remember, both Houston and Dallas? Free! And with free books for someone AND sneak peeks in Dallas!)
Texas, here I come--and I can't wait!!!
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I pre-ordered Small Town Sinners months ago and finally got it this week. I cannot wait until I have a day off so I can read it!